THE BEDQUILT
A 70-minute performance of Mary E. Wilkins Freeman's "A Quilting Bee in Our Village," Dorothy Canfield Fisher's "The Bedquilt," and Fisher's revelation of its source.
* * *
DOROTHY CANFIELD FISHER's
THE BEDQUILT
“She never knew how her great idea came to
her . . . so beautifully difficult a pattern
could be only for the angels in heaven to quilt.”
AND
MARY E. WILKINS FREEMAN’s
A QUILTING BEE IN OUR VILLAGE
“One sometimes wonders whether it will ever be possible in our village to attain absolute rest and completion with regard to … quilts.”
* * *
Old Aunt Mehetabel is taken for granted by her New England family—until she conceives a quilt “beyond which no pattern could go.” Canfield Fisher's suspenseful tale from 1906 achingly reveals Mehetabel’s journey to self-respect, universal admiration, and the realization of her ideal.
Mary E. Wilkins Freeman’s “A Quilting Bee in Our Village” introduces THE BEDQUILT.
Dorothy Canfield Fisher’s memoir puts it in context.
A talk-back follows the 70-minute program.
REVIEWS:
"I was enchanted by the story and your delivery, and warmed by the audience's joyful response to a well-told tale, told well." --Alex Roe, Artistic Director, Metropolitan Playhouse, New York City
"You had the audience in your command. We could have heard a pin drop as they listened to your every word." --Bonnie Browning, Executive Show Director, American Quilter’s Society, International Conference, Kentucky
"You were divine!" -- Ki Gottberg, Artistic Director, The Merc Playhouse, Twisp, WA
"What a superb actress you are." "This was extraordinary! You opened so many doors for me!" -- Adult Program Director; Audience Member, Wayne Public Library, NJ
"I was spellbound!" "Riveting—twice—I would love to hear it again!" -- Audience members, Pacific Northwest Needle Arts Guild & Quilters Anonymous, Seattle, WA
48 SPONSORS/VENUES TO DATE:
Annual American Quilter’s Society Quilt Show & Contest, Paducah, KY
Annual American Quilter’s Society Quilt Show & Contest, Syracuse, NY
Metropolitan Playhouse, NYC (4 performances)
Cornelia Street Café, NYC (2 engagements)
Liberty Towers, Libertyville, IL
Wauconda Women’s Club, IL
No. Lake Co. Quilters Guild, Lake Villa, IL
Country Quilters Society of McHenry, IL
Illinois Valley Quilters’ Guild, Ottawa, IL
Springfield Public Library, NJ
Lacey Branch, Ocean County Library, NJ
Molly Pitcher Stitchers, Manalapan, NJ
Morning Star Quilters, Belvidere, NJ
River Edge Library, NJ
Middlesex Public Library, NJ
Actors’ Fund Home, Englewood, NJ
New Egypt Historical Society, NJ
Maywood Public Library, NJ
Franciscan Oaks, Denville, NJ
Jefferson Twp Public Library, Oak Ridge, NJ
East Lynne Theater Co., Cape May, NJ (multiple)
Irvington Public Library, Irvington, NY
Mt. Pleasant Public Library, Pleasantville, NY
Suffern Free Library, Suffern, NY
Block Party Quilters, Sammamish, WA
Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Club, Sequim, WA
Evergreen Piecemakers Quilt Guild, Kent, WA
Mukilteo Lighthouse Quilters, WA
Washington Stars Quilt Guild, Lacey, WA
Pacific Northwest NeedleArts & Quilters Anonymous, Seattle, WA
Teaneck Public Library, NJ
Wayne Public Library, NJ
Irvington Public Library, NY
Busy Bees Quilting Guild of Snohomish, WA (2 performances)
The Merc Playhouse, Twisp, WA (2 performances)
Kitsap Quilters, Poulsbo, WA
Hands All Around Quilt Guild, IL
LakePointe, Wauconda, IL
Riverwalk Quilters Guild, IL